Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft first round plus OKC Thunder picks

By Tamberlyn Richardson

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Donte DiVincenzo
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Donte DiVincenzo #23 speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

player. 29. . PG/SG. Villanova. Donte DiVincenzo. 18

Based on reports Leonard has told Pops he wants out, so I had an epiphany about my dark horse landing in San Antonio. Hey, if the Thunder can’t snag the kid (who I believe is going to be a star) and the Raptors can’t get him then why not make things a little happier in Spurs land to offset losing Kawhi (probably).

This pick was tricky from the get because no one knew if RJ Buford and Gregg Popovich would react quickly or still try to calm the discord between Kawhi Leonard and themselves. Yet, for the franchise which has always been the template, all others measure themselves against it seems reasonable they’ll approach this situation with the same patience they normally do.

What better way to address the potential loss of Kawhi than to bring in a kid like DiVincenzo who could be the second coming of Manu? Besides, the Spurs always end up with a player who should be selected so much higher in the draft and while DD is ranked closer to 30, he’s too good to go that late.

As per my preview on DiVincenzo:

"Ultimately, I think Double D will be far more impressive than he’s being given credit. His performance at the Combine spoke to how he responds when getting underestimated. Like a former Villanova guard (Kyle Lowry) this kid doesn’t like being underestimated and that demeanor will serve him well at the pro level."

Full preview:  Scrappy NBA Draft prospect Donte DiVincenzo refuses to be ignored

Team needs:

This could be a very different conversation depending on what happens with the best two-way player in the NBA. That said the Spurs need a starting center and shooting guard and wing depth off the bench.

Free Agents:

Picks in 2018 NBA Draft:

First Round: 18th

Second Round: 49th

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